Market Turmoil

Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion, east wing meditation chamber.

Chen Heng sat cross-legged, spiritual power flowing around his fingertips as he tried to grasp that profound and elusive rhythm of the wind.

Cultivating Soaring with the Wind required exceptionally high comprehension and perception.

Whenever the water-and-fire true essence within him, led by the Water Fire Defense Scripture, circulated, it seemed separated from the ethereal, invisible wind spiritual power drifting through the void by an almost imperceptible layer of obstruction.

The stillness of water and the turbulence of fire seemed utterly incompatible with the wind's light, flowing nature.

His brows furrowed slightly as he slowly withdrew his power.

To gain even an initial glimpse of this movement art's gateway was indeed no easy matter.

The faint clamor outside interrupted his thoughts. The disturbance near Southern Foothills Market's western gate seemed particularly intense.

With a creak, his clan uncle Chen Xing Shan pushed open the door and entered, surprise and gravity on his face. "Heng'er, something has happened in the market!"

"Oh?" Chen Heng knew perfectly well what had happened, but his face showed just the right hint of confusion.

"That young master Luo Yu Lei of the Luo Family was just found in a pile of rubble outside the market's western gate... his clothes were in disarray, and he looked utterly bedraggled!"

"They say his losses were considerable. Not only was his storage pouch gone, even his seventh-level Qi Refinement guard, Luo San Mu, was dead!"

"The Luo Family is furious. Luo Yuan Nan, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor responsible for guarding the market, has personally issued orders for the entire market to be sealed off. They're investigating every suspicious person, especially cultivators who have recently traveled in and out of the Bamboo Branch Mountain direction!"

Chen Xing Shan spoke quickly, with lingering fear in his voice. "Good thing you returned yesterday."

"Such a thing happened?" Chen Heng feigned shock, then said solemnly, "That Luo Yu Lei has always been ostentatious and overbearing. He has likely offended quite a few people. Still, the culprit's nerve is truly enormous, daring to strike at a direct descendant of the Luo Family near the market."

His tone carried a touch of gleeful surprise, while he also pointed out the possibility that Luo Yu Lei had made enemies in the past, quietly clearing himself of suspicion.

Chen Xing Shan nodded deeply in agreement. "Exactly! Be especially careful when you go out these days. Don't stir up trouble for no reason. The Luo Family must be like rabid dogs right now."

After anxiously reminding him, Chen Xing Shan hurried away to handle the Artifact Pavilion's affairs.

Chen Heng closed the door, a faint, cold smile appearing on his face.

Luo Yu Lei's reaction was indeed exactly as he had expected—his face had been swept clean of dignity, and he was too ashamed to speak of the actual humiliation he had suffered. He could only vent his fury under the seemingly reasonable pretext of "robbery and murder for treasure."

A market-wide investigation?

Even if the Luo Family searched the Bamboo Branch Mountain direction until the sky cracked open, they would not find a shred of evidence pointing to him.

After all, those true "bandits" had long since vanished into smoke and ashes.

Elsewhere.

Southern Foothills Market, a secluded cave abode in the southern district.

Inside the meditation chamber, Wen Ning's face remained somewhat pale. Yesterday, she had forced herself to endure her injuries while handling the aftermath and returning to the market. Frightened and shaken, her injuries seemed to have flared up again.

The tense atmosphere that had suddenly arisen throughout the market made her tremble with fear even more.

News that a direct descendant of the Luo Family had been attacked and stripped naked spread like the wind, with all manner of embellished versions spreading wildly among the Rogue Cultivators.

She clenched an inconspicuous communication jade talisman hidden in her sleeve.

As agreed, if Chen Heng had any instructions, he would activate this secondary talisman to contact her.

Just as Wen Ning's heart was filled with unease, the jade talisman in her hand warmed slightly. She hurriedly checked the message:

"Do not worry. Southern Foothills Market is not a place where the Luo Family alone has the final say. They will not trace this back to you. For the time being, stay in your cave abode and recover properly."

"Also, do you know whether there is a black market in Southern Foothills Market?"

The voice was calm, carrying a strength that soothed the heart.

Upon hearing it, Wen Ning's heart instantly settled.

Just as they had discussed in the Bamboo Branch Mountain cavern, Chen Heng had long anticipated the Luo Family's reaction.

She immediately sent back a message. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master. This servant has taken pills to stabilize her injuries, and there is no serious problem. As for the black market... this servant knows of one near Mud Bottle Alley in the eastern district, called the 'Ghost Alley Entrance.'"

"There seems to be a trace of Myriad Treasures Pavilion behind it. Its rules are extremely strict, but it is relatively safe and can handle troublesome items. When will Young Master need it?"

"First, let this storm pass. Wait quietly for my message then," Chen Heng sent back in a brief reply.

The warmth in the jade talisman soon faded away.

Wen Ning let out a breath, her palms covered in cold sweat. As a mere Rogue Cultivator, she naturally held a deep sense of awe toward a Lineage like the Luo Family, which had Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed there year-round.

If not for the sake of exploring Water Wood Hermit's cave abode, she would never have boarded the pirate ship of Wang Yi, Li Zheng, and the others.

In the end, just to stay alive, she had even given herself away.

But fortunately, she was still alive.

Then a trace of resolve flashed through her eyes. The Dao Vow had already been made; now, her wealth, life, and death all rested on Chen Heng's whim.

Deep within her heart, that humiliation she had forcefully suppressed began quietly transforming.

After thinking for a moment, Wen Ning took out the two manuals containing the Azure Nether True Essence Art and the Gui Water Vitality Cultivation Art and began studying them.

This Azure Nether True Essence Art was a Foundation Establishment cultivation art. Compared to the common Water Element Cultivation Art she currently practiced, it was better by an unknown amount.

She guessed that once she successfully converted her cultivation, she should be able to enter the seventh level of Qi Refinement and usher in a major leap forward.

As for the Gui Water Vitality Cultivation Art, she needed to learn it quickly as well, so she could make preparations early for serving him in bed.

In truth, in Wen Ning's eyes, Chen Heng could be considered handsome, with clear features, red lips, and white teeth. His physical condition did not seem poor either—not like the Luo Family's eldest young master, who was so small.

Even if she had to dual cultivate with him in the future, she would not be getting the short end of the stick.

Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion's rear courtyard.

Chen Heng stood beside a small diverted pool. A flicker of light flashed from his fingertip and condensed into a water mirror.

Within the mirror appeared the distant western gate, where crowds surged and Luo Family law-enforcement cultivators, their expressions icy, searched and interrogated people everywhere.

His fingertip moved slightly, and the water mirror dispersed.

Luo Yu Lei's anger was destined to find no outlet. After all, Chen Heng had already placed himself firmly outside the matter.

As for Wen Ning, under his arrangements, she had also gone quiet.

The Luo Family could not cover the sky with one hand in Southern Foothills Market. Once this period passed, they could only settle down.

The next step was to deal with those troublesome stolen goods, especially the magical artifacts and robes bearing obvious Luo Family marks.

The Ghost Alley Entrance Wen Ning had mentioned was a fine place.

There was actually a trace of Myriad Treasures Pavilion behind this black market!?

That meant a reliable backing and strict confidentiality—exactly what he wanted.

However, disposing of stolen goods did not necessarily mean selling them. Reforging those magical artifacts and robes was another option.

It was simply that this would be no small test of his artifact-refining skill.

Still, learning of a black market's existence meant being prepared against any eventuality.

With that thought, he closed his eyes once more and immersed his mind in comprehending Soaring with the Wind.

The elusive liveliness within the wind and the harmonious fusion of water and fire seemed to have formed another subtle connection.

The path of cultivation valued letting water flow naturally into its channel; it could not be rushed.

He turned and returned to the room, closing the meditation chamber door tightly and shutting out the clamor beyond.

For the coming period, it was time to properly study the introductory section of Soaring with the Wind.

Only truly increased strength was the greatest foundation for facing every storm.

"Mud Bottle Alley... Ghost Alley Entrance..." Chen Heng murmured. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of his storage pouch as he began calculating the exact route for disposing of the stolen goods and the safeguards needed.

A sharp gleam flashed through the depths of his calm eyes.